PAP MP's views on MH370 not the Government's: Sam Tan

Family members pray around 239 lit candles during a candlelight vigil for passengers onboard the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the early morning, at Lido Hotel, in Beijing April 8, 2014, after a month of searching for the missing aircraft
Family members pray around 239 lit candles during a candlelight vigil for passengers onboard the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the early morning, at Lido Hotel, in Beijing April 8, 2014, after a month of searching for the missing aircraft. A People's Action Party MP's criticism of the way Malaysia provided information in the first few days after Flight MH370 went missing does not represent the views of the Singapore Government, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan on Thursday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A People's Action Party MP's criticism of the way Malaysia provided information in the first few days after Flight MH370 went missing does not represent the views of the Singapore Government, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan on Thursday.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs and Defence and an MP in Nee Soon GRC, said in an interview with The Straits Times last week that Malaysia could have better handled the communication of information on the missing flight.

If Malaysia did not have information, its officials should have said so "rather than come up with theories", as it added "confusion and grief to family members", he said.

His remarks were carried in Malaysian newspapers such as Sin Chew Jit Poh.

Mr Tan, in response to media queries, said in his statement the Government's position has been "clearly set out" by both Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Shanmugam said some of the criticisms aimed at Malaysia were "unfair".

PM Lee has also noted that it is a very difficult situation for Malaysia.

Said Mr Tan: "It is an unprecedented and very difficult situation and, as Prime Minister Lee said, the Malaysian government has done a 'manful job'.

"Singapore deployed aircraft and ships in the search and rescue operations, and has conveyed that we stand ready to provide further support as needed."

In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Dr Lim said several people had taken issue with what he had said, and, upon reflection, he now agrees with the views of the Government.

"This is truly an unprecedented incident and would have been difficult to manage for any country. I have reflected on my comment and agree with the comments of our foreign minister and our PM," he wrote.

"I hope that the ongoing search efforts are successful, and that Malaysia, particularly the families of the victims, can reach some closure on this tragic incident."

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